It’s become arguably the biggest fixture on the Hyundai A-League calendar, yet Saturday’s Derby in the Harbour City is set to go to a whole new, breathtakingly and passionate level on and off the park.

At one of Wanderers' new, temporary home grounds ANZ Stadium (capacity 82,000), an estimated 65,000 will greet the two sides who have both strengthened considerably since last season and will be desperate to start the season with three points

Tony Popovic’s Wanderers have carried their Adelaide grand final heartache with them all pre-season, although there is also a very new-look to their squad.

The recruits look to have potential – little wonder there is an air of optimism in the West.

That said, the Red and Black will be without skipper Nikolai Topor-Stanley through suspension after he was sent off in their Westfield FFA Cup quarter-final.

After missing the Finals Series in 2015/16, the Sky Blues are aiming for more than just a return to the six.

Much will be expected of Argentine playmaker Nicolas Martinez while Mitch Nichols will hope to carry on his excellent form from last season.

With Japanese winger Jumpei Kusukami also likely to start, can they provide the ammunition for striker Kerem Bulut to cash-in, in front?

With Topor-Stanley missing, there is a spot open to partner Aritz Borda in central defence, with Brendan Hamill, Robbie Cornthwaite and Jonathan Aspropotamitis all options, though Cornthwaite's experience and ability to score from set pieces gives him the edge.

The Sky Blues look to have strength and depth all over the park.

While this clash has likely come too soon for Bernie Ibini, the likes of David Carney, Alex Brosque, Milos Ninkovic and Filip Holosko all look ready to rock.

And you can’t forget Bobo.

He seems to have settled quickly in Sydney’s line-up and if he can carry the form we saw in the Westfield FFA Cup into this one, then he’ll be hard to stop.

Judging on pre-season form, the Sky Blues probably hold the edge. Arnold’s side has improved with each match and also has plenty of competitive games under their belt on their march to the Westfield FFA Cup semi-finals.

It’s been a little less consistent for the Wanderers but that’s understandable given the amount of new faces in the squad and the amount of experimenting Popovic has been keen to do. Their last competitive outing was a 4-1 FFA Cup quarter-final loss to Melbourne City.